Want to update your kitchen a bit, finding the right style is key. You ideally want to hit the right balance between on-trend elements and timeless design – so your scheme can last for years to come, without dating.

The latest trends for kitchens offer something for everyone, from warm neutral shades and raw finishes to glamorous brassware. Ready to take a look?

Our roundup of the latest trends for kitchens

Japandi style

Probably one of the most enduring styles, Japandi simply has to be part of a roundup involving the latest trends for kitchens. This enduring look fuses the smooth, modern lines of Scandinavian design with the more simplistic, elegant Japanese aesthetic – and it’s made the top 10 of most requested kitchen styles.

Unfussy cabinetry is key, and there’s no space for clutter, either – so ensure you have plenty of storage to hide small appliances when not in use. Swap handles for finger pulls and other handleless styles to create a sleek look, and don’t think you can only choose beige for the colour.

Even more, Japandi works very well with two other entries in our list of latest kitchen trends – warm neutrals and raw finishes.

As this style places a focus on eco-friendly and natural materials, it’s ideal for those of us who like wood – especially bamboo. This is also a nice way to bring in texture. If you love colour, on the other hand, Japandi might not be for you as the palette is usually pared back.

Latest trends for kitchens: warm neutrals

Blue cabinetry and other bold shades have been in for a while, but the latest kitchen trends involving colour swing almost the other way.

Think greys, deep beiges, and honey tones – warm and earthy tones that will make you feel cosy and create a welcoming atmosphere. They help create a lived-in feel, too, and work well with a range of cabinetry shades. Autumnal shades such as forest green, terracotta, chocolate brown, and blues so dark they’re almost black are ideal partners.

Mix and match your favourite shade to create your ideal scheme, and don’t be afraid to add a pop of colour. The palette doesn’t have to be dark, either – light tones will make the room feel open and airy, ideal for more compact spaces.

If you do opt for a range of lighter colours, add contrast through dark, bold furniture to create interest. Paint your dining room area plaster pink, for example, and pair it with an industrial table and leather chairs with steel frames.

Raw finishes

It might be an evergreen, but this look still deserves a spot on our list of the latest trends for kitchens. Raw finishes keep evolving, and we’re no longer only talking about brick walls.

Instead, untreated wood – or wood that looks like it’s unfinished – is increasingly popular in kitchens. It often appears in the form of barstools, tables, or chairs, but you’ll increasingly also find it used for doors or even worktops and flooring.

If you do choose raw finishes, always make sure they’re suitable for what you want. A worktop made from unlacquered wood, for example, may look nice, but its porous nature means it’s not food safe. Plus, wood doesn’t do well with moisture – so if you do want to create this look in your kitchen, speak to an expert. You might have to opt for look-alike products or get the material professionally sealed.

Kitchen islands with seating are one of the latest trends for kitchens

A central unit is top of many kitchen wishlists – but but now they’re getting multi-functional. Suggesting a shift in the way we wish to dine and entertain, perhaps?

Whether it’s a couple of barstools at a breakfast or an attached banquette, seating is increasingly being integrated into islands. It means guests can interact with you while you cook, making it a more sociable experience.

Make sure you choose easy-to-clean materials for the upholstery, in case of spillages, especially if you have small children.

But don’t sacrifice practicality – make sure you have enough space to comfortable walk around your island. If you have a more compact space, a few barstools at a raised breakfast bar create a sociable corner.

On the other hand, working banquette seating into your islands – one of *the* latest kitchen trends we’re seeing very often – allows you to integrate a dining table, which can help you save space.

Pale quartz worktops

Marble, stone, laminate… the choice for your work surfaces is vast, and there’s something for every taste. Still, quartz surfaces are one of the latest trends for kitchens, as they not only look beautiful but are hard-wearing too.

Pale surfaces go well with all styles and colours of kitchen cabinet. They look good in a traditional blue Shaker-style scheme, but also in an uber-contemporary black kitchen. They’re not as sensitive as, for example, soft marble, but can still look the part with elegant veining.

However, be careful when using cleaning products – don’t go near your quartz surfaces with bleach, or you risk causing damage. Similarly, placing hot pots and pans straight on the worktop is a no no too.

Dedicated desk areas

With home working more popular since the pandemic, a kitchen that offers an office space is a requirement that’s high on many people’s list.

Whether you work a desk into your layout in the same or similar style as your cabinetry or opt for a bespoke design set into a recess with doors you can close at the end of the day, you’ll need to consider how much storage you require and how it can best fit into your room with minimal disruption.

Secret studies, hidden behind doors that match the rest of your cabinetry, are one of the latest trends for kitchens that’s gaining traction.

If possible, whether hidden or not, you should locate your desk close to the window, to enjoy natural light while working.

Breakfast cupboards

The final element in our list of the latest trends for kitchens not only looks stylish, it’ll also make keeping your space tidy much easier. Not to mention, a well-sorted breakfast cupboard can be a joy to use.

They often feature a worktop for preparation, plug points for small appliances such as your toaster or a blender, and open shelving and plate racks to make finding crockery and ingredients as easy as possible

Folding shutter-style doors are quick and easy to use, but tambour styles are also popular – especially in more compact rooms, or when the cupboard is placed in a corner on the worktop.

Featured image: Sharps‘ Shaker Office in white start from £2,000.

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